PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
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June 14, 2006
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ACYOA MARKS 60 YEARS WITH SUCCESSFUL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SPORTS WEEKEND

The current generation of active young Armenian Church members thanked their
predecessors during a celebratory Armenian Church Youth Organization of
America (ACYOA) General Assembly and Sports Weekend this May.

Hosted by the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, the
organization marked its 60th anniversary in the city where the youth group
first got started. The Assembly ran from May 25 to 26, 2006, and the Sports
Weekend followed.

Seventy-five delegates, clergy, and observers from 24 parishes came together
for the business of the Assembly, with several hundred others joining for
the weekend’s sporting events.

The Primate presided over the Assembly’s proceedings, which were chaired by
Diran Jebejian of the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, with Arda Paylan of
the St. James Church of Evanston, IL, serving as secretary. This year, a
record number of 20 clergy attended the Assembly. Many of the clergy grew
up alongside the 60-year-old organization.

Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of
White Plains, NY, is a former ACYOA executive secretary who worked for many
years alongside ACYOA founder Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan. As a person
instrumental in the organization’s early years, Fr. Kasparian was pleased to
see passion still bubbling around the members.

"How heartwarming to see our youth participate in the assembly deliberations
with such seriousness and maturity," he said. "They are worthy inheritors
of our cultural legacy and spiritual heritage. I was particularly impressed
by their spiritual sensitivity."

Other clergy saw the young leaders gathered in Providence as a sign of good
things to come for the Armenian Church.

"The ACYOA has been, and still remains, one of the greatest venues for young
adult involvement within the life of the church," said Fr. Vasken Kouzouian,
pastor of the Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA. "It was wonderful to
see the energy and enthusiasm of our young people. To transfer this energy
to the local level will make a tremendous impact on all parishes."

NEW LEADERS

One of the main actions of the Assembly delegates is to elect leaders for
the coming year. On Sunday, May 28, following the Divine Liturgy at the
host parish, Archbishop Barsamian installed and blessed the new ACYOA
Central Council, including three newly elected members.

Returning to the Central Council and their new positions are: Chair Gregory
Andonian of the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH; Vice Chair Ani
Tovar of the St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX; Secretary Sarine Zenian of the
St. Mary Church of Washington, DC; and Treasurer John El Chemmas of the St.
John Church of Southfield, MI.

The newly-elected members and their Central Council positions are
Programming Coordinator Talin Hitik from the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church of Chicago, IL; Public Relations Coordinator Alex Derderian of the
St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA; and Chapter Relations
Coordinator Stan Sheridan of the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI.

"It was extremely encouraging to see a record number of delegates from so
many different parishes," said new Central Council Chair Andonian. "It is a
very tangible sign that the ACYOA is making a difference in the lives of
young Armenians in America and that we are getting stronger. When the ACYOA
gets stronger, the future of the Armenian Church becomes brighter, stronger,
and more certain."

In addition to the election of three new Central Council members, the
assembly elected an auditing committee and a nominating committee. The
delegates also received reports from the outgoing Central Council chair,
treasurer, and from Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian, as well as updates
from the Holy Land Project Committee and the 60th Anniversary Committee.

DISCUSSIONS ON FAITH, CULTURE

Following his remarks to the assembly, the Primate asked delegates to gather
in small groups to discuss such questions as: "Do you feel the leadership of
the Armenian Church understands you?" "What young adult programs are
working?" "What concrete efforts would you like to see the Diocese and/or
the ACYOA initiate for youth?"

The Primate then welcomed delegates to a luncheon he sponsored. The lunch
was a time for him to talk to and answer questions from the young delegates.

"These active, vital youths are indeed the future of the Diocese and the
entire Armenian Church," the Primate said. "I am overjoyed each year to
spend time with them, to talk to them, answer their wonderful questions and
see the love they have for their community."

The assembly also heard from Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess
Seminary, who focused on the special bond between the ACYOA and the
seminary, both of which were founded by the late primate, Archbishop Tiran
Nersoyan.

"We are sister institutions. We both share a focus on youth and on learning
and on the growth and development of the young," he said.

The Primate encouraged the ACYOA members to build both the youth
organization and the seminary.

"It was obvious during the ACYOA Assembly that many of our young people are
interested in taking an active role in the ministries of the church. A few
of them are already full-time students at St. Nersess Seminary, but more are
needed," said Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of vocations and youth for
the seminary. "Our Primate has gently challenged the ACYOA to assist in the
recruitment of students of St. Nersess by requesting that ten new students
be sought out from ACYOA to attend St. Nersess in the next three years. It
is a promising time for ACYOA and St. Nersess."

CELEBRATING ITS ANNIVERSARY

Saro Kalayjian, chair of the 60th Anniversary Committee, told delegates
about plans for regional balls, detailed recent work on the ACYOA archives,
and announced plans for producing a bookmark and promotional DVD to
commemorate the anniversary.

"I think this is a video that all parishes in the Diocese should have and
present sometime during the year so that all are aware of the impact this
organization has had and will have in the future," said Central Council Vice
Chair Ani Tovar, after the DVD premiered at the Sports Weekend Banquet on
Sunday night.

AWARDING EFFORTS

During the assembly, awards were presented to recognize dedicated service to
the ACYOA.

The Chapter "A" Award, given to an ACYOA senior chapter that has best
fulfilled the requirements as seen by the ACYOA Central Council, was
presented to the ACYOA chapter of the St. Mary Church of Washington, DC.

The Greg Arpajian Award, given to an individual who displays leadership and
service to the Armenian Church and community, was presented to Zack Kowalski
of the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH.

The Sam Nersesian Award, given to an individual who displays the Christian
values of love, patience, humility and understanding, was presented to Stan
Sheridan of the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI.

Two other awards are presented in memory of two beloved, departed clergymen.
The V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award was presented to Fr. Vertanes
Kalayjian, pastor of the St. Mary Church in Washington, DC "for his
passionate leadership, exemplary service and dedicated efforts on behalf of
the youth of the Armenian Church." The Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley Award was
presented to ACYOA alumna Lisa Manookian, a Diocesan delegate and parish
council member from the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA,
for "her continued devotion to the youth of the Armenian Church."

— 6/14/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Delegates vote during the 2006 ACYOA Assembly in
Providence, RI.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Newly elected ACYOA Chair Gregory Andonian speaks to
delegates about programming ideas during the 2006 ACYOA Assembly hosted by
the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Delegates to the 2006 ACYOA Assembly discuss questions
posed by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, about the role of youth in
the Armenian Church.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Primate, other clergy, and 75 delegates attended the
2006 ACYOA Assembly, hosted by the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI.

PHOTO CAPTION (5): Young delegates fill the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, during a Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Primate on May 28,
2006, which capped off a successful ACYOA Assembly.

PHOTO CAPTION (6): The newly installed ACYOA Central Council with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, and ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy
Basmajian.

PHOTO CAPTION (7): Archbishop Barsamian presents the Chapter "A" Award to
leaders of the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C.

PHOTO CAPTION (8): Saro Kalayjian, left, accepts the V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun
Melkonian Award on behalf of his father, Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian, pastor of
the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C.

PHOTO CAPTION (9): The Primate and Fr. Yeprem Kelegian present the Sam
Nersesian Award to Stan Sheridan of the St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI.

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